Smoking pipe screen

ABSTRACT

The present application relates generally to pipes, and specifically to screens for the bowls of smoking pipes. The screen for a smoking pipe bowl of the present application includes a wire coil forming at least one ring and defining an upper side and a lower side. The wire coil is configured to be received in a smoking pipe bowl to support a quantity of fuel on the upper side and the wire coil configured to permit fluid flow therethrough between rings of the wire coil. A related method of forming a screen for a smoking pipe bowl is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present specification relates generally to pipes, and specifically to screens for the bowls of smoking pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking pipes are routinely used to smoke a variety of fuels. Such fuels are often dried plant matter, such as tobacco or cannabis, but other fuels may also be used. Often, smoking pipes are used recreationally or for medical purposes.

Smoking pipes generally include a body or housing, the body or housing defining a bowl and a draw passage, the draw passage extending from a lower portion of the bowl to a mouthpiece. The bowl is provided to receive fuel and to contain the fuel while the fuel is burned, while a user of the smoking pipe draws air in through the bowl, into the draw passage, and out through the mouthpiece by drawing on the mouthpiece.

Many users use a screen with a smoking pipe. Screens may be used to impede the movement of fuel into the draw passage. Screens may be used to impede the movement of fuel into a chamber or opening in the bottom of the bowl, such as to improve the burning of the fuel. However, many screens impede air flow or break down when exposed to repeated heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the screen comprising a wire coil forming at least one ring, the wire coil defining an upper side and a lower side, the wire coil configured to be received in the smoking pipe bowl to support a quantity of fuel on the upper side, the wire coil configured to permit fluid flow therethrough between rings of the wire coil.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the method comprising receiving a wire; designating a crook point on the wire between a base portion and a coilable fuel support portion, the base portion being shorter than the coilable fuel support portion; bending the wire at the crook point to form an angle between the base portion and the coilable fuel support portion; and coiling the fuel support portion around the crook point to form a coiled fuel support platform having at least one ring, the coiled fuel support platform defining a fuel support plane and the base portion defining a base axis, the base axis forming an acute or right angle with the fuel support plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a smoking pipe;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a screen, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a first side elevation view of the screen of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a second side elevation view of the screen of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a wire, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a screen, according to an embodiment, formed of the wire of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of a truncated version of the screen of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a screen, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a screen, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a screen, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a screen, according to an embodiment, received in a smoking pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention.

An aspect of this description relates to a screen, such as for the bowl of a smoking pipe. An aspect of this description relates to a robust and resilient screen formed of a heavy wire, a first portion of the heavy wire coiled to form a support platform for fuel and a second portion of the heavy wire bent out of a plane defined by the support platform, the second portion of the heavy wire provided as a stabilizer to stabilize the support platform when the support platform is used in a pipe bowl.

An example of a smoking pipe is depicted in FIG. 1. Smoking pipe 1000 includes a body 1100. Body 1100 includes a bowl wall 1110 which defines a pipe bowl. Body 1100 also includes a draw passage wall 1120 which defines a draw passage. Body 1100 also includes a mouthpiece 1130. Bowl wall 1110 has a cylindrical portion 1112 and a transitional portion 1114, the transitional portion 1114 extending from the cylindrical portion 1112 to draw passage wall 1120.

Many users of smoking pipes choose to use a screen, such as a screen within the bowl of the smoking pipe. The screen may be used for a variety of reasons, such as to impede the movement of fuel material into the draw passage, to define an open chamber at the bottom of the bowl beneath a charge of fuel, and to elevate a charge of fuel to keep it away from any moisture which moves down the draw passage from the mouthpiece.

Such screens may be expected to come into contact with flames, embers, or burning material. As a result, many screens formed of a fine mesh, such as a brass wire mesh, steel wire mesh or plastic mesh, can be expected to wear out over time as the heat degrades the mesh material. To form a more durable screen a heavy wire is used in embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, a steel wire is used. In some embodiments, a stainless steel wire is used. In some embodiments, an 18 or 20-gauge wire is used. In some embodiments, a narrower or wider diameter of wire may be suitable, depending on the type of fuel or size of pipe bowl. For example, a thinner wire may be more cost effective, visually appealing or allow for better functionality.

An embodiment of a screen for a smoking pipe bowl is depicted in FIGS. 2 to 4. Screen 2000 is formed of a wire 2100. Wire 2100 has a first end point 2110 and a second endpoint 2120 and a crook point 2130. Wire 2100 forms a fuel support portion 2200 and a base portion 2300.

Fuel support portion 2200 is the portion of wire 2100 between first end point 2110 and crook point 2130. Fuel support portion 2200 is a continuous coiled portion of wire 2100 forming four rings; first ring 2212, second ring 2214, third ring 2216, and fourth ring 2218. As may be seen particularly in FIG. 2B, fuel support portion 2200 defines a fuel support plane 2220. Fuel support plane 2220 is an average of the planes of the four rings which make up fuel support portion 2200.

Base portion 2300 is the portion of wire 2100 between crook point 2130 and second end point 2120. As may be seen particularly in FIG. 2B, base portion 2300 extends out of the fuel support plane 2220, and a base axis 2310 forms a right angle 2320 with fuel support plane 2220.

Forming a screen, such as screen 2000, involves selecting a wire, bending the wire at a crook point between a base portion and a fuel support portion, and coiling the fuel support around the crook point to form one or more rings.

In some embodiments, a wire may be bent and coiled into a screen using a pair of standard plyers and a pair of needle-nosed pliers; the wire may be bent to form a base or tail, the wire may then be coiled tightly to form a fuel support portion or platform.

Fuel support portion 2200 of screen 2000 forms a circular platform with a diameter of approximately 16.5 mm. Screen 2000 is approximately 15 mm from the bottom of base portion 2300 to the top of the fuel support platform.

For example, wire 3000 of FIG. 3 defines a first end point 3012, a crook point 3014, and a second end point 3016. Wire 3000 includes a fuel support portion 3020 between first end point 3012 and crook point 3014 and a base portion 3030 between crook point 3014 and second end point 3016. Base portion 3030 is shorter than fuel support portion 3020 in the example embodiment of FIG. 3 to leave more wire available for coiling. However, in some embodiments the fuel support portion and the base portion are of equal length and in some embodiments the fuel support portion is shorter, the length of each portion depends on the desired size of each portion in the final screen.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, when wire 3000 is bent at the crook point 3014 the fuel support portion 3020 can be coiled to form a continuous set of rings. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the fuel support portion 3020 has been coiled into five rings 3021, 3022, 3023, 3024, and 3025.

While five rings are shown in FIG. 4A, wire 3000 could also be coiled more tightly to form more rings, or less tightly to form less rings. In other embodiments a shorter wire or a different crook point could be chosen, resulting in more or less rings. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, some portion of one or more rings may be trimmed from a final coil. As may be seen in FIG. 4B, wire 3000 includes truncated end point 3018. Cutting wire 3000 at truncated end point 3018 trims third ring 3023 to form truncated third ring 3026 of truncated fuel support portion 3040.

As shown in FIG. 5, a screen 5000 includes a fuel support portion 5100 and a base portion 5200. Fuel support portion 5100 includes a set of rings all in a common fuel support plane 5110. Base portion 5200 defines a base axis 5210 extending away from fuel support portion 5100 at a right angle 5220 to plane 5110.

While a right angle between a base axis and a fuel support portion may be preferred, some embodiments may have an acute angle. As shown in FIG. 6, a screen 6000 includes a fuel support portion 6100 and a base portion 6200. Fuel support portion 6100 includes two rings; a lower ring 6110 and an upper ring 6120. Lower ring 6110 is an inner ring while upper ring 6120 is an outer ring, together rings 6110 and 6120 form a bowl-shaped platform defining a fuel support plane 6130. Base portion 6200 defines a base axis 6210 extending away from fuel support portion 6100 at an acute angle 6220 to plane 6130.

As shown in FIG. 7, a screen 7000 includes a fuel support portion 7100 and a base portion 7200. Fuel support portion 7100 includes three rings; a lower ring 7110, a middle ring 7120, and an upper ring 7130. Lower ring 7110 is an inner ring and upper ring 7130 is an outer ring, together rings 7110 to 7130 form a bowl-shaped platform defining a fuel support plane 7140. Base portion 7200 defines a base axis 7210 extending away from fuel support portion 7100 at a right angle 7220 to plane 7140.

FIG. 8 shows a screen 8100 placed within the bowl 8210 of a pipe 8200 and supporting a charge of fuel 8300. Screen 8100 is formed of a continuous stainless steel 18-gauge wire. The coiled fuel support portion of screen 8100 allows for easy air flow while substantially containing burning fuel and residue. Screen 8100 is durable and capable of withstanding repeated heat stress. Screen 8100 is formed of a ferritic stainless steel so that it may be retrieved from a bowl by a user using a magnet.

While other embodiments may use other wire thicknesses, 18-gauge wire has been found to provide a practical balance between durability and functionality; a thinner wire would be less durable, and a thicker wire would decrease airflow. However, in some embodiments a thicker or thinner wire is used.

In some embodiments, a wire is coiled to provide a spacing of approximately 1 mm between rings. Some embodiments may use larger or smaller spacing between rings, but 1 mm spacing has been found to provide a practical balance between air flow and containment; containing ashes while providing ample air flow. Some embodiments may use variable spacing between rings, however maintaining a consistent spacing has been found to contribute to even fuel burn.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the screen comprising: a wire coil forming at least one ring, the wire coil defining an upper side and a lower side, the wire coil configured to be received in the smoking pipe bowl to support a quantity of fuel on the upper side, the wire coil configured to permit fluid flow therethrough between rings of the wire coil.
 2. The screen of claim 1, further comprising a base secured to the wire coil and extending down from the lower side of the wire coil.
 3. The screen of claim 2, wherein the wire coil and the base are formed of a single continuous wire, whereby the wire coil is stabilized by an end portion of the single wire bent at an obtuse or right angle to a fuel support plane of the wire coil.
 4. The screen of claim 3, wherein the at least one ring includes at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring.
 5. The screen of claim 4, wherein the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring form a bowl.
 6. The screen of claim 3, wherein the wire is a steel wire.
 7. The screen of claim 3, wherein the wire is a stainless steel wire.
 8. The screen of claim 3, wherein the wire is an 18-gauge wire.
 9. The screen of claim 3, for use in supporting a dried herb fuel.
 10. A method of forming a screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the method comprising: receiving a wire; designating a crook point on the wire between a base portion and a coilable fuel support portion, the base portion being shorter than the coilable fuel support portion; bending the wire at the crook point to form an angle between the base portion and the coilable fuel support portion; and coiling the fuel support portion around the crook point to form a coiled fuel support platform having at least one ring, the coiled fuel support platform defining a fuel support plane and the base portion defining a base axis, the base axis forming an acute or right angle with the fuel support plane.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wire is a steel wire.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the wire is a stainless steel wire.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the wire is an 18-gauge wire. 